Update: There are so many great ways to wear scarves, but in rare cases, a scarf can be worn so badly that it is burned into memory. As was the case of Lenny Kravitz's gargantuan purple scarf, which was such a jarring violation of scarf etiquette that it is resurfacing as an internet meme again two years after Lenny originally wore it:

The Wu-Tang Clan must love scarves. Otherwise, why would they have titled their first single "Protect Ya Neck"? As they — and all New Yorkers — know, if you're living in a somewhat colder clime, going out during the winter will definitely require a scarf.

Unfortunately, there's more to it than just buying a nice one. You have to know how to wear it right. A badly tied scarf will make you look like an overgrown 8-year-old. A scarf tied with aplomb adds color, style and warmth to your winter wardrobe. And, for that matter, different knots work better with different outfits. But don't sweat it — we're here to help. Here’s our guide on how to pull it off, as well as our suggestions for the best jackets to rock each knot with.

Parisian Knot

The Parisian is the most popular knot. Here’s how to tie a scarf in a Parisian knot: Take the scarf in both hands and fold it over lengthwise; drape it around your neck; insert the loose ends through the loop hanging in front of you and pull them through. You can play with the tautness of the knot and the thickness of the scarf by doubling the scarf lengthwise, if you wish. This knot looks great on a short leather jacket with a notch collar left down. On a very cold day, you can tuck the scarf into the jacket and pull the zipper up.

Once-Around KnotThe once-around knot is your entry-level knot for all those brisk days when you need a little extra comfort but don’t want to go with complete arctic readiness. Most men will use this knot for a quick commute to work or an evening out with a fitted blazer. The point of this knot is casual warmth. To learn how to tie a scarf in a once-around knot, drape the scarf around your neck allowing one end to be longer than the other. Take the long end and bring it around your neck again and let it fall over your chest. If you have a long neck, overlap the scarf in back just a bit so that most of your neck between the jacket and the base of your skull is covered.